Tokyo: E-Scooter Tour of the Imperial Palace Area
Why this tour
What makes this walk different
A small group, not a crowd
Groups run from 2 to 7 riders, so your guide can keep an eye on everyone and set a pace that suits your group, not a busload of strangers.
Easy to ride, even on your first try
E-scooters are simple to pick up, and every tour starts with a short practice session in a quiet spot before you head out onto public roads.
Three landmarks you won't find paired elsewhere
Yasukuni Shrine, the Imperial Palace's Sakurada-mon Gate, and the National Diet Building sit close together but are rarely covered in one route. On an e-scooter, you can reach all three in a single 2-hour ride.
Meet the guides
Who will show you around
Trip Port guides are locals who love talking about Tokyo. Here is who might show you around.
Founder of Trip Port · Tokyo local · grew up in the US
“What I like about this route is that Yasukuni Shrine, Sakurada-mon and the National Diet Building sit close together but almost nobody pairs all three. First-timers often assume riding takes real skill, but the practice session covers it.”
Trip Port guide · Tokyo
“My favourite stop is Sakurada-mon, where the open sky and the gate's scale are easy to take in right from the scooter, moat and all. Riding straight toward one of Tokyo's largest torii gates at Yasukuni is a good way to start, too.”
Trip Port guide · Tokyo
“I like explaining how Sakurada-mon's stone walls and double-gate layout were built to slow down attackers approaching Edo Castle. From there it's a short ride to the pyramid-roofed National Diet Building, parliament's home since 1936.”
What's included
Everything in the price
Not included: Food and drinks.
The walk
Stop by stop
Getting comfortable before we ride
We start at the base, S-tie Maison Yotsuya, where your guide fits your helmet and safety vest and walks you through how the e-scooter handles. Everyone gets a short practice session in a quiet spot nearby before heading onto public roads. Your guide checks that you're steady on the scooter and answers any questions, and riders must pass a brief sobriety check before the group sets off.
A striking torii gate on the way into central Tokyo
Yasukuni Shrine's approach opens with one of Tokyo's largest torii gates, a good first stop to get your bearings on the scooter. Your guide points out the layout of the shrine grounds and gives a short, even-handed introduction to its history and why it remains a significant, sometimes debated, site in Japan today. It's a brief stop before the ride continues toward the Imperial Palace.
The old defensive gate at the edge of the Palace
Sakurada-mon is one of the original gates of Edo Castle, with its stone walls and double-gate layout still intact. Your guide explains how the gate was built to slow down attackers and points out the moat and grounds of the Imperial Palace beyond it. It's one of the best photo stops on the route, with open sky and the gate's scale easy to appreciate from the scooter.
Japan's seat of government, seen from the street
From Sakurada-mon, it's a short ride to the National Diet Building, the pyramid-roofed home of Japan's parliament since 1936. Your guide explains how the building splits into the House of Representatives and House of Councillors and shares a few details about its distinctive design. This is the final landmark before the ride loops back toward the base.
Photos
From recent tours
Meeting point
Where we meet
S-tie Maison Yotsuya (E-Scooter Base)
- Head to S-tie Maison Yotsuya, the E-Scooter Base (use the map link on this page for exact directions).
- Your guide will be waiting outside the base with the e-scooters ready.
- Arrive 5 minutes early for check-in before your start time.
Itinerary
Minute by minute
- 0:00Meet and check in at the baseS-tie Maison Yotsuya (E-Scooter Base)
- 0:10Safety briefing and practiceHelmet, vest, and a quiet-spot practice run
- 0:30Yasukuni ShrineTorii gate and a short history stop
- 1:00Sakurada-mon GateImperial Palace grounds and moat
- 1:30National Diet BuildingFinal landmark of the ride
- 2:00Return to baseTour ends at S-tie Maison Yotsuya
Good to know
Before you book
FAQ
Questions guests ask
Is this a private tour?+
It's a small-group tour, with 2 to 7 riders per departure, not a large bus tour.
I'm travelling solo. Can I book?+
Yes. Solo travellers are booked at the 2-person price so the tour can run for you.
Can I choose the start time?+
Yes. Departures run at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00 and 20:00. Pick whichever suits your schedule when you book.
What if it rains?+
The tour runs in light rain. If conditions look unsafe for riding, contact us and we'll work out a reschedule.
Do I need a licence or prior experience?+
No licence or experience is needed. Every tour includes a beginner practice session before you ride on public roads. Riders must be 16 or older and pass a sobriety check before departure.
Which languages do the guides speak?+
All guides speak English. Some also speak other languages, so ask when booking and we'll try to match you.
How is this different from your other e-scooter tours?+
This route covers Yasukuni Shrine, the Imperial Palace area and the National Diet Building. Our other e-scooter tours cover Shibuya, Akihabara, and a Tokyo Tower night ride instead.
Do I need to pay anything on the day?+
No. Everything listed is prepaid when you book.
Cancellation
Cancellation policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Cruise past some of Tokyo’s most historic landmarks on this private 2-hour e-scooter tour with a friendly local guide. After check-in and a safety briefing, ride to Yasukuni Shrine, continue to Sakurada-mon Gate and the Imperial Palace grounds, and finish near the National Diet Building. Riders must be 16 or older and pass a sobriety check before departure.
Schedule
- Meet and check in at S-tie Maison Yotsuya (E-Scooter Base)
- E-scooter safety briefing and practice
- Yasukuni Shrine
- Sakurada-mon Gate (Imperial Palace)
- National Diet Building
- Return to base
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